The suggested cost of a Wyoming shooting complex is close to doubling, from $10 million in taxpayer dollars to $ 19 million.

There is a bit of confusion when the state of Wyoming says it wants to open a "Shooting Complex."

Callers to Wyoming's morning state-wide radio talk show, Wake Up Wyoming, with Glenn Woods have asked why such a thing is needed when most communities have local shooting ranges. Folks can also go into Wyoming's vast open land and shoot all they want.

So why would we want something like this?

Hunter with riffle on background of mountains
KiraVolkov
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Proponents offer that the complex the state is offering would be much more sophisticated than a local range and offer world-class competitions.

Comments from the radio audience have asked,

But at what cost?

Is it the role of the government to pay for a shooting range?

There is even more concern now that the suggested price has doubled.

At the same time, the Wyoming Freedom Caucus is working in this legislative session to cut government spending.

The idea is that the range would become profitable and self-sufficient once it's up and running.

But as with most government projects, the cost keeps going up, even before construction has begun.

This current legislative session is not a budget session.

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David De Lossy
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That's not to say money can't be added to this project during this session. It's just a little more difficult to do.

Back in 2023, Wyoming Legislators laid out $10 million for the project.

They pulled $2.5 million from the Wyoming Office of Tourism.

$2.5 million was drawn over from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Another $5 million came from the state’s general fund.

This week the Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee added another $3 million from the Office of Tourism.

Another $500,000 more from Game and Fish.

Beautiful Welded Junk Art

Is that just a rusty pile of old metal junk?
Maybe it's a moose a cowboy or a horse.

It just depends on what you see when you look at it.

This Wyoming-born artist brings junk to live with beauty in motion.

Gallery Credit: Glenn Woods

This Wyoming Store Has The Funniest Signs

This store has far too many signs to show them all to you.

You could spend a day there and not see them all.

There are also bumper stickers, hats, T-shirts, and so much more to make you smile and laugh.

You won't find this store where you would expect it to be.

Gallery Credit: Glenn Woods

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